Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:
Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.
For more information about the legislative process, see here.
Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jan. 24, 2008 | CO | GN Baker | Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13) |
Jan. 5, 1995 | National | S Amdt 1 | Filibuster Amendment | Amendment Tabled - Senate (76 - 19) |
Oct. 23, 2003 | National | S Amdt 1904 | Congressional Pay Raise Amendment | Amendment Tabled - Senate (60 - 34) |
Feb. 21, 2008 | SD | HB 1250 | Legislative Pay Raise | Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4) |
Feb. 19, 2009 | NC | SB 15 | Limiting Per Diem Payments to Legislators | Motion Agreed - Senate (37 - 11) |
Oct. 18, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2062 | Congressional Pay Raise Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (92 - 6) |
June 25, 1998 | National | S Amdt 2981 | Military Closure Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (48 - 45) |
July 29, 2005 | National | HR 2985 | Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2006 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 4) |
July 1, 1994 | National | HR 4454 | Legislative Branch FY95 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (73 - 27) |
Oct. 31, 2007 | MI | SB 229 | 2007-2008 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8) |
Aug. 2, 2007 | National | S 1 | Lobbying and Donation Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (83 - 14) |
Dec. 17, 2009 | OH | HB 318 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
March 24, 2008 | MS | HB 859 | Salary Adjustments for State Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 3) |
July 25, 2002 | National | HR 5121 | Legislative Branch Appropriation, FY2003 | Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 14) |
June 16, 1999 | National | HR 1905 | Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2000 | Bill Passed - Senate (95 - 4) |
April 23, 2008 | AZ | HB 2017 | Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
July 21, 1998 | National | HR 4112 | Legislative Branch FY99 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 9) |
July 11, 2003 | National | HR 2657 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriation, FY 2003 bill | Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 7) |
March 12, 2008 | KY | HB 600 | State Retirement System | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3) |
July 23, 1993 | National | HR 2348 | Legislative Branch FY94 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 7) |
Sept. 21, 2004 | National | HR 4755 | Legislative Branch FY2005 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2) |
June 23, 2008 | NJ | S 1962 | State Worker Retirement and Health Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8) |
March 11, 2009 | UT | HB 345 | Regulating Former Lawmakers in Lobbying | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
Feb. 2, 2009 | MT | SJ 7 | Statement of Opposition to Expansion of EPA Jurisdiction (H.R. 2421) | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
Sept. 23, 2009 | OH | SJR 5 | Redistricting Commission | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
March 18, 2008 | CO | HB 1297 | Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
June 10, 2008 | LA | SB 672 | Legislative Pay Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
April 5, 2007 | SC | S 355 | Restructuring the Department of Transportation | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
Jan. 14, 2009 | TX | SR 14 | Majority Vote Requirement for Voter ID Bill Consideration | Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
Feb. 6, 2009 | MT | SB 187 | Limitations on Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
Feb. 9, 2009 | SD | SJR 3 | Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
Feb. 26, 2009 | National | S 160 | Washington DC Voting Act | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37) |
Feb. 25, 2009 | NM | SB 141 | Allowing Increase of Penalties for Convicted Public Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12) |
May 4, 2011 | MO | HB 193 | Congressional Redistricting Plan | Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 6) |
Sept. 30, 2013 | National | H J Res 59 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46) |
March 11, 2021 | KY | SB 3 | Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
April 13, 2022 | KY | HB 248 | Limits the Governor's Power to Challenge the Constitutionality of Bills Passed by the General Assembly | Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
Feb. 2, 2021 | KY | SB 2 | Increases Legislative Oversight Over Executive Orders Related to Emergencies | Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
March 28, 2012 | NH | HB 592 | State House Redistricting | Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7) |
May 16, 2011 | OK | HB 2145 | State House Redistricting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 4) |
April 11, 2011 | VA | HB 5001 | Legislative Redistricting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17) |
Feb. 8, 2010 | NM | SB 531 | Legislative Finance Committee Review of Confidential Information | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 8) |
Aug. 16, 2023 | NC | SB 512 | Repeals Governor Appointment Powers Over Various State Governing Boards | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 18) |
June 2, 2011 | AL | SB 484 | 2011 Congressional Redistricting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 15) |
June 6, 2012 | NH | CACR 12 | Legislative Authority of Education Requirements | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6) |
April 20, 2021 | ND | SB 2271 | Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8) |
May 25, 2021 | OK | SB 959 | Establishes Procedures for Filling U.S. Senate Vacancies | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10) |
Sept. 30, 2009 | National | HR 2918 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution and 2009-2010 Legislative Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (62 - 38) |
June 6, 2012 | NH | CACR 6 | Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9) |
May 30, 2014 | IL | SB 274 | Requires Salary Payments to State Legislators | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 18) |
April 18, 2010 | AK | SJR 21 | State Legislature Expansion | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4) |
June 25, 2021 | PA | SB 255 | Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
June 14, 2021 | NC | SB 722 | Amends the Date of Local Elections Due to Delay of Release of Redistricting Data | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
June 23, 2013 | TX | SB 3 | State House Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
July 15, 2020 | PA | SB 1166 | Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
Jan. 16, 2020 | DE | HB 73 | Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5) |
March 27, 2014 | TN | HB 937 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
May 27, 2011 | IL | SB 1177 | General Assembly Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 22) |
Oct. 17, 2011 | UT | SB 3002 | Congressional Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 5) |
Oct. 20, 2011 | MD | SB 1 | Congressional Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
Oct. 9, 2009 | PA | HB 1614 | Fiscal Code Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
June 29, 2011 | MI | SB 498 | Legislative Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
July 27, 2011 | NC | SB 453 | Congressional Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 17) |
May 31, 2011 | IL | SB 1178 | Congressional Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 25) |
June 20, 2011 | TX | SB 4 | Congressional Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
Jan. 19, 2012 | TN | SB 1514 | State Senate Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
Aug. 5, 2011 | WV | SB 1008 | Congressional Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 1) |
July 27, 2022 | National | HR 4346 | Supreme Court Security Funding Act of 2022 (CHIPS and Science Act of 2022) | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (64 - 33) |
Jan. 23, 2024 | WI | AB 415 | Establishes a 5-Member Advisory Commission to Examine State Legislative District Maps | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 14) |
Jan. 9, 2021 | KY | HB 1 | Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
Feb. 11, 2014 | WI | AB 161 | Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
Oct. 1, 2021 | IN | HB 1581 | Amends Redistricting Maps | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
May 8, 2013 | AZ | HB 2608 | Amends Retirement Plans for Elected Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
May 13, 2014 | MN | HF 3169 | Establishes a Legislative Salary Council | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 25) |
Aug. 23, 2013 | KY | HB 1 | State Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
1/24 | GN Baker | Matt Baker to the Public Utilities Commission | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (21 - 13) |
1/05 | S Amdt 1 | Filibuster Amendment | Amendment Tabled - Senate (76 - 19) |
10/23 | S Amdt 1904 | Congressional Pay Raise Amendment | Amendment Tabled - Senate (60 - 34) |
2/21 | HB 1250 | Legislative Pay Raise | Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4) |
2/19 | SB 15 | Limiting Per Diem Payments to Legislators | Motion Agreed - Senate (37 - 11) |
10/18 | S Amdt 2062 | Congressional Pay Raise Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (92 - 6) |
6/25 | S Amdt 2981 | Military Closure Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (48 - 45) |
7/29 | HR 2985 | Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2006 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 4) |
7/01 | HR 4454 | Legislative Branch FY95 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (73 - 27) |
10/31 | SB 229 | 2007-2008 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8) |
8/02 | S 1 | Lobbying and Donation Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (83 - 14) |
12/17 | HB 318 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 15) |
3/24 | HB 859 | Salary Adjustments for State Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 3) |
7/25 | HR 5121 | Legislative Branch Appropriation, FY2003 | Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 14) |
6/16 | HR 1905 | Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2000 | Bill Passed - Senate (95 - 4) |
4/23 | HB 2017 | Legislative Approval for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
7/21 | HR 4112 | Legislative Branch FY99 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 9) |
7/11 | HR 2657 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriation, FY 2003 bill | Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 7) |
3/12 | HB 600 | State Retirement System | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3) |
7/23 | HR 2348 | Legislative Branch FY94 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 7) |
9/21 | HR 4755 | Legislative Branch FY2005 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2) |
6/23 | S 1962 | State Worker Retirement and Health Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8) |
3/11 | HB 345 | Regulating Former Lawmakers in Lobbying | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
2/02 | SJ 7 | Statement of Opposition to Expansion of EPA Jurisdiction (H.R. 2421) | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
9/23 | SJR 5 | Redistricting Commission | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
3/18 | HB 1297 | Supplemental Department of Public Safety Funding | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
6/10 | SB 672 | Legislative Pay Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
4/05 | S 355 | Restructuring the Department of Transportation | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
1/14 | SR 14 | Majority Vote Requirement for Voter ID Bill Consideration | Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 13) |
2/06 | SB 187 | Limitations on Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
2/09 | SJR 3 | Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
2/26 | S 160 | Washington DC Voting Act | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37) |
2/25 | SB 141 | Allowing Increase of Penalties for Convicted Public Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 12) |
5/04 | HB 193 | Congressional Redistricting Plan | Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 6) |
9/30 | H J Res 59 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46) |
3/11 | SB 3 | Amends Laws Related to Declaring an Emergency Related to the Agricultural Industry | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 5) |
4/13 | HB 248 | Limits the Governor's Power to Challenge the Constitutionality of Bills Passed by the General Assembly | Veto Override Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
2/02 | SB 2 | Increases Legislative Oversight Over Executive Orders Related to Emergencies | Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
3/28 | HB 592 | State House Redistricting | Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7) |
5/16 | HB 2145 | State House Redistricting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 4) |
4/11 | HB 5001 | Legislative Redistricting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17) |
2/08 | SB 531 | Legislative Finance Committee Review of Confidential Information | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 8) |
8/16 | SB 512 | Repeals Governor Appointment Powers Over Various State Governing Boards | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 18) |
6/02 | SB 484 | 2011 Congressional Redistricting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 15) |
6/06 | CACR 12 | Legislative Authority of Education Requirements | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6) |
4/20 | SB 2271 | Establishes a Statement of Legislative Intent Regarding Presidential Elections | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 8) |
5/25 | SB 959 | Establishes Procedures for Filling U.S. Senate Vacancies | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 10) |
9/30 | HR 2918 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution and 2009-2010 Legislative Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (62 - 38) |
6/06 | CACR 6 | Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9) |
5/30 | SB 274 | Requires Salary Payments to State Legislators | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 18) |
4/18 | SJR 21 | State Legislature Expansion | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 4) |
6/25 | SB 255 | Appropriates Funds for Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7) |
6/14 | SB 722 | Amends the Date of Local Elections Due to Delay of Release of Redistricting Data | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 14) |
6/23 | SB 3 | State House Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
7/15 | SB 1166 | Limits the Governor's Emergency Powers | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
1/16 | HB 73 | Amends the Delaware Constitution to Authorize the General Assembly to Pass Laws On Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5) |
3/27 | HB 937 | Prohibits Medicaid Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
5/27 | SB 1177 | General Assembly Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 22) |
10/17 | SB 3002 | Congressional Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 5) |
10/20 | SB 1 | Congressional Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 13) |
10/09 | HB 1614 | Fiscal Code Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14) |
6/29 | SB 498 | Legislative Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
7/27 | SB 453 | Congressional Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 17) |
5/31 | SB 1178 | Congressional Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 25) |
6/20 | SB 4 | Congressional Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 12) |
1/19 | SB 1514 | State Senate Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
8/05 | SB 1008 | Congressional Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 1) |
7/27 | HR 4346 | Supreme Court Security Funding Act of 2022 (CHIPS and Science Act of 2022) | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (64 - 33) |
1/23 | AB 415 | Establishes a 5-Member Advisory Commission to Examine State Legislative District Maps | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 14) |
1/09 | HB 1 | Authorizes Businesses, Organizations, and Schools to Remain Open if they are Following CDC Guidelines Regardless of Governor Mandate | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
2/11 | AB 161 | Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
10/01 | HB 1581 | Amends Redistricting Maps | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
5/08 | HB 2608 | Amends Retirement Plans for Elected Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
5/13 | HF 3169 | Establishes a Legislative Salary Council | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 25) |
8/23 | HB 1 | State Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2) |